Question: What do all successful haircuts and hairstyles have in common? Answer: they make your hair look healthy, more vibrant, and thicker (if that’s what you are going for). Some of the most common ways you are styling your hair could have the opposite effect, though: they can make thinning hair look even more sparse, while exposing bald spots.
Yes, bald spots — they aren’t uncommon. The truth is, our hair often sheds and becomes thinner with age. Depending on medical conditions or hormonal shifts you are experiencing, you may see the presence of bald spots on occasion, commonly around the crown of the head. Often times, hair will grow back in these areas when the trauma your body has experienced subsides. But regardless of whether this is a temporary condition or your hair has naturally thinned because of a genetic predisposition, finding hairstyles that honor your hair where it is at and make you feel more confident can be a challenge.
Want to know what NOT to do? Start by avoiding these four hairstyles, which can make thinning hair and bald spots look even more obvious.
Flat Ironed Hair
A lot of us fell in love with our flat irons a few years ago and never looked back. Maybe you simply love the look of stick-straight hair and feel it makes your hair appear glossier. Or perhaps you have baby hairs that stick up when they aren’t flattened down with the help of heat. The problem with this styling method is that its high heat can cause more damage to your hair and actually contribute to split ends and breakage. The look itself — often flat at the roots — can also accentuate bald spots and thinning.
It can be challenging to break up with your flat iron, but you hair will thank you. Trying to embrace your hair’s natural texture can help, especially if you have waves or curls that create volume and can conceal thinning and bald spots.
Tight Braids
Brands and updos can look so pretty and feminine. But if you have thinning hair, creating tight hairstyles can pull at the scalp and hair follicles and cause even more breakage and shedding. This doesn’t mean you have to wear your hair long and loose at all times, but a looser bun or braid can create less stress on your scalp. Tie a velvet bow onto the end of your braid for a sweet accessory.
Middle Parts
A caveat: middle parts are not always a mistake. In fact, on some women, they look just right — perfect for their face shapes and haircuts. But so much hair thinning often occurs in that area right in the middle of where the hair parts at the crown. Because of this, if you’re parting your hair down the middle, your part can seem wider than it used to. If that’s the case, try changing up your part slightly more to one side or even deeply parted on one side of your head. Your hair can automatically look thicker with this one small, but significant, change.
Overly Layered Hair
Layers are a little like sugar in a recipe: a few strategic layers give your hair bounce, life, and the appearance of fullness — the perfect amount of sweetness. But too many layers create a choppy, unbalanced look — the hairstyle equivalent of a toothache. Layers should also be placed with purpose and should be harmonious with your overall haircut. If your hair has been chopped to bits for the sake of “volume,” the effect could be to make your hair look even more sparse, especially at the ends.
If that has happened to you, your only solution may be to give your hair a good haircut or wait until your layers grow out. Then, find a stylist who understands how to cut thin hair — and work together to find the length and amount of layering that makes your hair feel its most luxurious.
You deserve to look and feel your best — avoiding these hairstyles can help you achieve a great look.
